Lynn Flewelling

“If you set your story in Rome, Ireland or Sheboygan, for that matter, go there. If you're broke, set it in the town where you live, or where you grew up.”

“You always have a choice. Don't ever imagine you don't. Whatever you do, it's a decision and you have to accept responsibility for it. That's when honor becomes more than empty words.”

“A Skalan trader tried to tell me the streets of his cities were paved with gold," Alec went on. "I didn't believe him, though. He was the one who tried to buy me from father. I was only eight or nine. I could never figure out what he wanted me for.""Really?" Seregil lifted a noncommittal eyebrow.”

“I was always a 'let's pretend' kind of kid.”

“I love all of my books. They were labors of love; I was striving to create something well done, and I do feel I succeeded.”

“These are Plenimaran marines, and there's not much most of them aren't capable of, if you take my meaning.""I don't think I do," said Alec, puzzled by Seregil's tone."Then try this. They have a saying among them: 'When whores are few, a boy will do.' Got that?""Oh." Alec felt his face go hot.”

“I think the key is to give the reader characters they not only care about, but identify with, and to never take away all hope.”

“You always have a choice. Don't ever imagine that you don't. Whatever you do, it's a decision and you have to accept responsibility for it. That's when honor becomes more than empty words.”

“Setting is the bedrock of your story. If you choose a real-world backdrop, be certain you get your facts straight.”

“When I started writing 'Luck in the Shadows,' I just wanted to create an adventure story.”

“Come on, Seregil, let's show him how it's done.""I'm busy," replied Seregil, working on a tricky bit of fingering.Moving to stand over him, Micum groweled, "Put away that twopenny toy, you tit-sucking coistril, and show me the length of your blade!"Seregil laid his harp aside with a sigh. "Dear me, that sounds rather like a challenge-"Lunging swiftly past Micum, he sprang to his feet and drew his sword, then swung a flat-bladed attack at Micum's forearm.”

“It would be lovely if it was all Right vs. Wrong, Good overcomes Evil - I think most Americans, going about their daily lives, fool themselves into thinking that that's how our little world works, but it just isn't so.”

“Take what the Lightbearer sends and be thankful.”

“You hardly know me. Why do you want me to come with you?""Who knows? Perhaps you remind me just a bit of—""Someone you used to know?" Alec interjected skepti”

“The move to creating stories was a natural progression for me, but the most pivotal time was probably in 6th grade: That year, a friend introduced me to the stories of Ray Bradbury, and a student teacher introduced me to creative writing.”

“Realism isn't something most people associate with the fantasy genre, yet it's an essential element of great fantasy writing.”

“I come from a very small city in a rather remote part of America, where writers simply weren't part of the daily fabric.”

“Whatever role you play, play it to the hilt.”

“The real world is the fantasy writer's scrapbook. Real history, real geography, real customs and religions are all invaluable sources of guidance and inspiration.”